(MITCHELL) - The Boyhood Home of astronaut Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom will mark the 51st anniversary of his death on Saturday, Jan. 27.

The memorial service will begin at 6:15 p.m. at his boyhood home at 715 W. Grissom Avenue in Mitchell.

In 1967 a flash fire aboard the Apollo I test capsule took the life of astronaut Grissom. An Air Force veteran of the Korean War, Grissom was one of the first seven Mercury astronauts. Also killed in the fire were fellow astronauts Ed White and Roger Chaffee.

The memorial service will include a short talk by the astronaut's cousin, Steve Grissom, who is president of Virgil I. Grissom Inc., which maintains the home. There will also be a prayer, a moment of silence and an honor salute by the Cecil C. Martin American Legion Post No. 250.

The home will be open for tours starting at 5:30 p.m. and will remain open following the ceremony.